Agenda and minutes

Venue: Skelton

Contact: Michael Hawtin 

Items
No. Item

1.

Ward committee surgery

An opportunity to talk to your Ward Councillors, Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Andrew Williams, Street Environment Officer, Sharron Hutchinson, Young People’s Service, Michael Hawtin, Neighbourhood Management Officer, Steve Burrell, Traffic Management Officer, Andy Vose, Transport Planner, and Liz Burkinshaw, Learning, Culture and Young People’s Service.  

Minutes:

1.1  Residents had the opportunity to talk to councillors and council officers; to find out about the Sustainable Communities Act; to examine plans for the Rawcliffe Boulders Project; and to speak to Graham Titchener and Steve Burrell about cycling and traffic management respectively.

2.

Welcome and Minutes

Minutes:

2.1 Chair, Cllr Irene Waudby, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.2 The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and signed.

3.

Traffic Management

Steve Burrell, Traffic Management Officer, North Yorkshire Police, will tell you about traffic management in the area.

Minutes:

Steve Burrell, Traffic Management, North Yorkshire Police, spoke about Traffic Management in York and invited questions from residents about their particular concerns.

3.1 Traffic Management combines policing and engineering. It addresses issues of road infrastructure, but with a particular emphasis on safety. North Yorkshire Police Traffic Management work in close partnership with road design and engineering at City of York Council.

 

Among the issues raised by residents were: the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Clifton Green and Water Lane; problems with the new road layout on Water Lane; Brompton Road being used as a rat run; queue-jumping; cyclists using the pavement; and intimidation of cyclists.

 

In response, Steve Burrell noted that a safety audit of the new road layout at Water Lane is to be carried out which will examine the timing of the lights; he is to feedback on the issue of the pedestrian crossing at Water Lane through Sgt Donna Musgrove.

4.

Safer Neighbourhoods Team Update

Sgt. Donna Musgrove, Safer Neighbourhoods Team, and Sharron Hutchinson, Young People’s Service, will tell you what they’ve been doing in the ward.  

Minutes:

Sgt. Donna Musgrove of the Safer Neighbourhoods Team updated the meeting on their activities in the ward.

4.1 Annual crime figures are measured from April to March. For the year ended March 2009, there has been a reduction in crime in the ward of over 25%.

4.2 Anti-social behaviour is a ward priority. There is no particular hotspot for anti-social behaviour at the moment but there are some areas of the ward that are policed more than others.

4.3 Auto-crime is up slightly, a trend that is repeated across the city. The Safer Neighbourhoods Team are running campaigns to educate people about securing their possessions.

4.4 The Safer Neighbourhoods Team website has been updated to include a page informing residents about the kinds of issues that arise across the ward and providing feedback on suggestions.

 

Some of the following issues arose in questions from residents: a problem with motorbikes at Wellesley Close; rebuilding the wall behind the traveller’s site; and the possibility of using the off-road bike unit from Tadcaster to address the problems at Clifton Ings. 

 

In response Sgt Musgrove noted that mini-motorbikes can be seized by the police as they can’t be insured; incidents should be reported with a detailed description of those involved so that the police can issue warnings. Sgt Musgrove is to pass the suggestion about the off-road bike unit to Sgt Andy Haigh. A site meeting has been held to address the rebuilding of the wall behind the traveller’s site. 

5.

Young People's Service Update

Minutes:

Claire Hogan, Assistant Team Leader in the ward area, spoke about the provision of activities for young people.

5.1 Information will be posted locally about the provision of activities for young people. The youth club at Rawcliffe takes place on Mondays from 4.30-7pm and the club at Skelton takes place on Thursdays from 5-7pm.

5.2 They had a number of successful trips over the Easter break and they are currently planning summer activities. They operate on the basis of a 6 week rolling programme. Both clubs run throughout the holidays unless young people specifically request daytime activities.

5.3 They have plans for several new activities:

  • Urbie bus outreach sessions for young people aged 14+
  • developing a myspace page
  • holding a coffee evening at the youth clubs in Skelton and Rawcliffe to allow young people to invite other residents to see what they do
  • fundraising for a residential trip to Low Mill during the summer

5.4 Members of the public are welcome to drop in to the sessions to see what happens. The activities change regularly as the programme is developed in collaboration with young people.

 

Among the issues raised by residents were: the ages of the young people who are catered for and the lack of provision of services for young people in the Clifton Without area.

In response, it was noted that the youth clubs cater for young people from 11-19, as currently there isn’t capacity to provide split sessions. It was pointed out that there is a drop-in session at Canon Lee School and the youth clubs in Skelton and Rawcliffe are promoted at the school. They have been exploring ways of providing services through Canon Lee School, but the available facilities are less than ideal for a youth club. Young people are quite mobile and attend clubs in other areas. Personal information about the young people who use the service is only available from the MIS coordinator.

                       

6.

Cycle City York

Andy Vose will explain what it means to be a ‘Cycle City’ and what the benefits are.

Minutes:

Graham Titchener, Programme Manager Cycling City, spoke to the meeting about the project.

6.1 The Cycling City project has a budget of £3.68 million which is match-funded by the council. The aim of the project is to encourage more people to cycle and it is driven by outcomes rather than targets, in the areas of economics, health, recreation, time, environment, and congestion.      

6.2 The programme ends in March 2011 and it is hoped that they will have definite benefits to show which will encourage more funding. For more information about the project contact cyclingcity@york.gov.uk.

 

Among the issues raised by residents were the following: cycling offences; the provision of cycle lanes under the project; and the impact of the project on the blind and partially sighted.

In response, Graham Titchener noted that the Cycling City project aims to promote safety to motorists and cyclists in safety leaflets and by providing cycle training in schools. Regarding cycle lanes, the response was given that they aim to complete the orbital route, provide offroad cycling routes, refresh existing routes and increase awareness by providing better signposting and cycle maps.

7.

The Rawcliffe Boulders Project

This is an exciting new venture being developed on behalf of Play England. Liz Burkinshaw will update you on what’s happening with the project and when it is expected to be completed.

Minutes:

Liz Burkinshaw, Learning, Culture and Children’s Services, CYC, spoke about the Rawcliffe Boulders Project.

7.1 CYC has received £88,000 from Big Lottery to construct a climbing boulder in Rawcliffe Country Park.

7.2 The boulder will be 3-3.5 metres high, with a 15-18 metre circumference. It will cater for children of all ages, from toddlers to 19 years. It will be open 24 hours a day and will be accessible via the Park & Ride and cycle routes.

7.3 The aim of the project is to encourage young people to be active, not just through sport but through recreation. The project will be promoted through schools who will be offered the 7m mobile climbing tower. They will also be organising taster sessions and events at the Boulder.

7.4 The project is currently running 6-8 weeks behind schedule due to land issues. They are looking for a name for the boulder and would like to hear suggestions from residents.

 

Among the issues raised by residents were the materials used in constructing the boulder; the age range that the boulder will cater for; and problems arising from the boulder, including graffiti.

In response it was noted that the boulder will be made of fibreglass or polystyrene covered by a wire mesh; sprayed concrete and paint. The boulder will be suitable for an average child from 5-19 years. Parks with boulders have a high family usage. Regarding problems that may arise, it was noted that problems usually peak in the first 6 months of schemes like this so they will be working closely with the Safer Neighbourhoods Team, particularly in this period. To deal with graffiti, the cost of respraying the boulder every three years will be factored into the maintenance budget.             

8.

Sustainable Communities

Find out about the Sustainable Communities Act.

Minutes:

Zoe Burns, Head of Service, Neighbourhoods Management Unit, introduced the Sustainable Communities Act.

8.1 The Sustainable Communities Act is a lobbying Act that seeks the ideas of residents to potentially generate new powers for local authorities. It is informed by the idea that local people are best informed to know what is required in their local communities.

8.2 Proposals should relate to powers that are currently held by central government and that, if changed, would bring environmental, economic or social benefit. Some issues that might be addressed by the Act include: business rates on car parks, reregulation of bus services, post office closures, protecting establishments that are seen as a community hub, and power generation.

8.3 In order to develop ideas to pass onto the LGA (Local Government Association), the deadline for initial suggestions is May 8, 2009. Suggestions can be made by filling in a form that is available from the Neighbourhood Management Unit, completing the online survey at the council website, or by emailing shapingneighbourhoods@york.gov.uk.   

                       

Among the questions raised by residents were: the cost of the exercise and the number of people who will be working on it. 

The response was given that, in terms of costs, the consultation process is using the existing ward committee structure, but there will be some costs attached to developing the proposals from there. Cllr Moore pointed out that the costs of the process will already have been factored into the budget.

9.

Have Your Say

Your opportunity to discuss local issues and concerns with your ward councillors.

Minutes:

Among the issues raised by residents were the possibility of allowing 30 minutes for Have Your Say at the beginning of the next ward committee meeting and the issue of the alcohol restriction zone.

The response was given that the alcohol restriction zone is now in force throughout the ward and that there has been consultation on signs which will be put up.

 

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